Impact of the Introduction of Television on Crime in the United States (From Justice and the Media, P 182-198, 1984, Ray Surette, ed. - See NCJ-95768)

• NCJ Number: 95777
• Author(s): K M Hennigan; L Heath; J D Wharton; M K Del Rosario; T D Cook; B J Clader
• Date Published: 1984
• Length: 17 pages
• Sale Source: Charles C. Thomas
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

The fear that television has contributed to increased crime in the United States is well founded, in view of studies of how television has influenced criminal behavior, particularly larceny.

Abstract

An interrupted time series design with switching replication was used in the analysis. Data came from 1951-77, with emphasis on 1951, 1955, and 1956. The analysis permitted the examination of the impact of the introduction of television on indicators of violent criminal behavior (murder and aggravated assault) and instrumental criminal behavior (larceny, auto theft, and burglary). No consistent evidence showed an increase in violent crime due to the introduction of television in the years tested, although several considerations limited the interpretation of this finding. The crimes showing no effect were all more severe than the crimes showing consistent effects, for example. In contrast, in each of four tests with different samples, analyses indicated a statistically reliable increase in the level of larceny theft. Further research should focus on how television influences the desire to possess goods and how this desire affects behavior in antisocial ways. Data tables, a figure, footnotes, and a list of 34 references are supplied.